Max Verstappen survived constantly changing weather conditions and even a red flag restart to win the Dutch GP on home soil. With this, the Red Bull driver equals Sebastian Vettel’s all-time F1 record of nine consecutive race wins (set a decade ago, in 2013).
Fernando Alonso made a podium appearance for the first time since the Canadian GP, finishing P2. Pierre Gasly completed the podium, also returning to the podium for the first time since the 2021 Azerbaijan GP.
- Verstappen wins, 3.744 secs ahead of Alonso
- Gasly on podium
- Ferrari’s Leclerc retires from race
Verstappen wins on home soil
It was a chaotic start to the Dutch GP. Verstappen initially led the way on a dry track, as Alonso passed Alex Albon and George Russell for third place. But then the rain started coming down, resulting in split strategies – some drivers pitted for intermediate tyres immediately while some took the gamble and stayed out an extra few laps on slicks.
By Lap 3, Sergio Perez – the first of the drivers to switch to inters – found himself in the lead. But Verstappen made the undercut work by pitting for slicks earlier than his teammate, and reclaimed the lead. The Dutch driver remained in control out at front when it started raining once again with just a handful of laps to go – this time even heavier than before.
The race was finally red flagged after Zhou Guanyu crashed into the barriers, making it a seven-lap dash to the finish line. After a few laps behind the Safety Car, Verstappen aced the re-start in slippery conditions and kept Alonso at bay to score a hat-trick of Dutch GP wins.
Alonso shines in mixed conditions
Alonso displayed some masterful driving in the mixed conditions, and kept the pressure on Verstappen at the restart. But he had to settle for second place, 3.744 secs adrift.
Nevertheless, the Aston Martin driver will be happy to return to the podium for the first time in over two months. He also set the fastest lap to score an additional point
Perez penalty promotes Gasly to podium
Perez crossed the chequered flag third on road, but he was handed a five-second time penalty for speeding in the pit lane. This promoted Pierre Gasly to P3, making this his first podium appearance in over two years
Carlos Sainz – the sole Ferrari driver in the race after Charles Leclerc had to retire due to damage picked up on the opening lap – came under pressure from Hamilton in last few laps. But the Spaniard fended off Hamilton to hold on to fifth place.
McLaren’s Lando Norris was seventh, while Russell’s late retirement (following contact with Norris) promoted Williams’ Alex Albon to eighth. Oscar Piastri and Esteban Ocon completed the top 10. Liam Lawson - who replaced Daniel Ricciardo as AlphaTauri following the Australian driver's wrist injury - finsihed his debut F1 race in P13.
2023 F1 standings
Verstappen now leads the championship by a mammoth 138 points from Perez. With 339 points, he has more points to his name this year than Mercedes as a team (who are second in the constructors’ standings).
Alonso is third overall, 33 points behind Perez, but just 12 points ahead of Hamilton. F1 will now head to Monza for the Italian GP on September 1-3.
2023 Dutch GP results
Suraj Viswanathan
